Switch



Sept. 13, 1932. A ALSAKER ET AL SWITCH Original Filed May 27. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l www .f ,5. 56m if! m/ .n/Zdf www ANL/Q0 wf Sept. 13, 1932. A. ALsAKER r-:T AL 1,876,537

SWITCH Original Filed May 27. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept- 13, 1932. A. ALsAKl-:R ET AL SWITCH Original Filed May 27, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J P ZM WM5, MW @New Patented Sept. 13, 1932r UNITED `s,iilrrE-s,

PATENT oFF-ICB? ALFRED ALSAKER 'AND lERIC NoRDHEM, O F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS T0 THE ,DELTA STAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, `OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION Av0F ILLINOIS SW IT CH Original application led May 27, 1927, Seriall No.'194,608. Now Patent No.1,842,707, dated .Tanuary\26,

1932. Divided-and'this application filed July 12, 1928. Serial No.,292,190. v

rlhis application is a division-of our ap- .plication Serial No. 194,608, filed May-27, 1927 now Patent 1,842,707 datedJan..26-l932.

YThis invention relates to disconnect switches of the verticalbreak type. Disconnect switches -according to the-present kpractice are gang operated asa rmatter of convenience and rapidity of operation. Withincrease in voltage greater distance of separation of the contactsof the disconnect switch are required. Y

Assume that the l'movable member ,is an arm pivoted toswing vertically to secure such separation. The longer `the'arm the greater H15 leverage does `the 'friction (or freezing) of the contacts :present to the moving'forcc.

The section of thefarm could be sofincreased or strengthened asfto stand thestress of thus opening the blade, but that would Amake the v- '20 switch heavy, Aclumsy .andy expensive. `We

- conceive that if the metal which, is `required `for conducting current could beso disposed vor employed as to perform the mechanical work of opening and closing the contacts, a minimum amount of material Vwould be used.

To this end we have devis-ed the present form of switch. The switch arm-is provvided with suitable operating mechanism,"which separates the contacts by tension on ythe switch arm and joins them by placing I.the

arm under compression. This Aalso permits of another vuseful arrangement; namely, the disposal of one. or both lof the contacts-under a sleet hood or hoods.

The arm swings in a vertical plane, i. e., the plane -of the corresponding phase conductor, thus preventing likelihood of interference between phases, as in a three phase system, by opening vor lclosing the switch blades. The friction loadfo'f the contacts is thus overcome by pulling the .movable blade contact out of the stationaryjaw contact, or vice versa. The separating movement, i. e., to'interpose an air gap between the contacts is -thensecured 'by-swinging thebla'de pivotally in Ithe plane of the phase conductor. Likewise, the initial closing movement to decrease the gap 'is securedby-aswingingmovement and the final closure Vis by athrust or plunging movement. The controlo'f `these `tionary part.

respective motions requires suitable governing mechanism which is a part of the present invention. Theadjusting-means for securing .the desired synchronismbetween the switches of different lphases is also -a part-of this kinvention. Y

While we have-above referred to theuse of our invention in hightension switches where long switch arms are involved, and wherefthe problem of sleet protection is animportant matter, we now wish to point out that the in- V,vention is useful in othergrelations as well.

For eXamp'le,in a low-tension high amperage switch -where r:large areas lof contacts are-.in-

volved, it is desirable gto 'break the contacts away fromv each other by pullingmotion, since that motion can'be made 'verypowerfuldue to :the possibility of employing a very-shortfle-ver arm. It is-tobe understood, therefore, that the present :invention vis not 'to fbc limited to Y any particular typeorto any specific use.

ifisafurther feature ofthe invention, we 'provide iin conjunction withxthe blade and 4switch contact housing a novel forml of arcing y wise ina coating of ice and 4not freed forv the succeeding swinging movement. n

Now in order 'to acquaint ,those rskilled iin 'the art with the manner of constructing and operating our invention, we shall, in connec- .tion with the accompanying drawings, Adescribe a specific embodiment ofthe same.

In thedrawings 1F ig. i1 is an elevation of a switch construct- .-,ed in accordance with 'our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view ofthe switch;

Fig..3 is a section taken substantially on the lline 3-3of Fig. 2;

Fig. It is a section taken on substantiallythe line '4e-4 of Fig. 3, Lparts'being brokenfaway ,L

This causes the mately 1600 amperes, or more.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the contact jaw housing, and associatedparts, this section bein@ taken on the line 6-76 of Fig. 7

F102 7 is a section taken substantialli1 on n D a line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and l Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 33 oi Fig. 6.

In the drawings we have illustrated a form of our switch which is particularly adapted `for s rstems em ilo ino' relativelv low voltage o u al vwhich are secured insulators 126 of known type.

A third insulator 127 similar to the insulators 126 is secured to a flange 123 at theupper end of an anti-friction bearing assembly of suitable type indicated by 129. A switch blade base member 130 of rectangular crosssection extends' overthe upper end ot insulator 127 and is provided with a central collar 131 which receives a short stud 132 extending from the central portion of the upper face of a relatively thick disc 133 secured to 'the top of insulator 127 by screws 134, or in any other suitable manner. A ianged cover 135 is disposed beneath the head of a cap screw '136 extending through the cover and threading into stud 132. This cover extends beyond collar 131 and serves to prevent entry of moisn ture and foreign material thereinto. The forward portion of the casing or base member 130 is open and includes Jforwardly extending side arms 137 connected at their -forward or inner ends by a cap 133 which iits over the top of insulator 126. A bracket 139 is mounted upon the upper face of cap 133 and is provided with a disc shaped base'140 which is secured to the cap 133 by cap screws 141, these cap screws also servin to secure the cap 133 to the insulator.

The bracket 139 supports, at its upper end, a plurality of plates 142 which are secured rigidly together in spaced parallel relation by spacing members 143 and bolts 144 passing therethrough and through the plates in a known manner, certain of these bolts also serving to rigidly secure the plates to the bracket 139, as will be clear from Figures 2 and 3. A terminal clamp of known construction is secured tightly about the outer ends of the plates 142 and about the end of a cableor conductor 145, this clamp serving to estab- Livrets?` lish both mechanical and electrical connecL tion between the cable and the plates 142.

A pintle 145 extends through the inner ends of plates 142 and through the upper portions of the arms 137. A pair of links 146 is rockably mounted on this pintle, each of these links being provided with an eye 147 which contacts with the inner end oi' a bearing sleeve 143 extendingV from the inner face of arm 137. Connecting and spacing plates 149 are mounted at their lower ends on pintle 145, the upper ends oi these plates receiving a pin 150 which also passes through the eyes at the upper ends of the links 146. rllhe plates 149 receive between them the outer ends of contact plates or strips 151 oit' the switch'blade structure 152. Slotted concavoconvexv spring washers 153 are mountedV on the pin 150 adjacent the outer faces of the links 146. These washers are forced against the links by nuts 154 threaded upon the ends of the pin andbearing upon the washers, these nutsbeing heldin adjustment by jam nuts 155'. As more clearly illustrated in Figure 4,

the ends of pintle 145 are mounted in bearing rings 156 which lit into the inner ends of projections or hubs 147 of the links 146. Screws 157 thread into the collars or sleeves 143, each `screw being provided with an inner reduced portion 153 fitting into the hub 147 and providing a bearing therefor. This reduced portionv also holdsithe bearing ring 156 against outward movement. rlhe screw is locked in adjustment by a jam nut 159 threaded thereon. A spring washer 160 similar to washers 153 is positioned about pintle 145 and confined between the outermost plate 149 and ring 156.

As ring 156 is subjected to pressure by the screw 157, the spring washers 160 exert pressure from opposite sides of the series of plates 149 and serve to hold the same in close contact with the plates 142. In this manner proper electrical connection between the plates 142 and the plates or strips 151 of the switch blad-e is insured while permitting proper movement of the links and associated parts for opening and closing of the switch.

rlhe links 146 are connected at their lower ends, by means of a universal connection 161 to one end of a connecting rod 162, the other end of which is connected by a universal connection 163 to the disc 133. rlhe connection 161 includes a sleeve 1610// which receives the adjacent threaded end portion of rod 162, the other end portion of the rod being threaded into a sleeve 163m or' connection 163. This rod is provided with a central hexagonal portion for rotating the same by means of a suitable wrench, and am nuts are provided for securing the rod in adjustment, as illustrated. This provides means for adjusting the effective length of the connecting rod to suit circumstances and insures accurate operation of the switch.

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" .The 'universal .connection163 includes a vertically disposed sleeve 164 lwhich -fits be- {tweentlanges of the disc 133at the top and bottom. thereof,the disc being cut away from -its` periphery to accommodate this sleeve f-.andgp'ermit voperationof the connecting rod. A rpin `165 passes through sleeve 164 and the 'flanges of the disc,` this'pin pivotally connecting the sleeve to the disc as illustrated.

The insulator 127-is turned about its axis Abymea'ns of the lever arrangement previ-` ously-described for opening and closing the switch. During turning of the insulator the 'links 146'will be swung about pintle 145 due ltoithe connections between this insulator and -theflinks through'rod 162 and associated parts.. This Imovement of the links serves y-to'naovethe switch blade into and out of operative position;

A .short rod'166'passes through the plates '1.51' of the switch blade and is held against endwise movement therethrough by nuts 167 -threadedonto the rod, lock washers 168 bein'g'interp'osed between the nuts and the outermost plates 151. Suitable spacing. washers169 are mounted on the rod between the plates '151 to hold theni'in` spaced relation. Vile also preferably provide adjacent the inner vtreeends of the plates 151 suitable spac- -.1i-ngmeans. forholding these plates in proper `spacedrelation which means may consist in 'spacing' collars 170 Amounted between the platesiand a rod 171y passing through these "collars 4and the pla-tes andhaving its ends beaded. Any other'suitable or preferred l"means maybe employed for holding` the fplates yin spaced relation. Preferably the *spacingmeans should be remote from the 1outer or free ends of the blades so as to permit a certain flexibility of the end portion of. the vblade which contacts with the conltact jawsto ensure proper engagement ot thepartS'. Tension springs 172 have their --upper ends secured v to the ends of the rod 166. The lower ends of these springs are secured, 'by headed studs 173, to the sides of vthe-base member 130.'

As will be noted more clearly from'Figure'3, rod 166 is in advance of the pin 150 Y la upon which the plates 151 are mounted, and one of thelinls' 146 is provided with a stop finger 175 which extends atv right angles -thereto'and beneath the'blade'structure, this llinger beingintermediate the pin 150 and The switch blade co-operates with contact jaws mounted in a'housing 176 secured by set screws 177y to supporting bracket 178 securedto'the top of insulator 126.

The inner or front portion oi" the housing 1176 isV open and is braced by a. U-shaped -stirrup '179'secured to the lateral walls of the-housing by rivets, or in any other suit- .ableor preferred manner, the bight portion of this member-receiving a brace rod 180 line.

'which 'threads into 4the base of bracket '17 8 and theinsulator 126. 'This rod is held in` ade justment by a'jamn'ut 181 and adjusting :nuts

182 are threaded onto tlierod'above and'beylow the right portion of member 179, providing Aineansor adjusting this member so as to properly support the housing 176. The

housing vis thus,*more correctly statedsupe ported by means of the member 179 and eXe tends over andaboutniember 183 which is secured to thebraclret by cap-screws 177.

"Member 183 is provided with a plurality of vertically entendingy fingers 184 .disposed lin spacedrelatlon. T ie lingers intermesh-with contact jaws 185 extending yforwardly 'therefrom, the jaws and the fingers Vbeintrigidly housing 176. The s'trips187 receive between them lingers 189 extending from a clamp 190 .in which is secured the lend of -a cable .or conductor 191. The fingers 189 and `stri-ps-187 aresecured together by'bolts192 passing between the same, nuts 193 being threaded onto these bolts and spring washers 194 interposed between the nuts land the #adjacent strips 187. ln the operation ofthis switch, when the insulator 127 is Aturned in switch opening direction, the linlzs 146 are'turned vabout pintles 145, this movement vserving to slightly raise pinA 150 and the end of .the blade connected thereto. Continued move- .ment of the links 146'serves -towithdraw rthe vblade so as'to move the plates or strips there- .ot ont of contact with the jaws 185, this movement taking place in substantiallya straight At the end of this movement ofthe blade, the jaws 185 contact with the under edge of the blade and, upon continuedmovement of the linls 146, acts to swing the blade 152 upwardly linto-the inoperative or open position indicated inFigure 1. With the blade'in this position, `theline of tension of spring 172 is inside oiv pivot 145, asillustrated. By placing pin 173 outwardly be yond the pivot the line ofvtension fof the spring will `also be outwardly 'beyond pivot '145 when the switch is I open, and will act to hold the switch blade-fin'tull 'open` position. Vhile this is not essential-to`-the satisfactory operation of the-vswi-tchunder ordinary conditions,'it is desirable under certain conditions, and it is to .be Iunderstood that we contemplate this variation. in our-invvention and intend toinclude thesame -in this appli cation.

' In closing the switch the blade is first swung downwardly in contact with the finger 175 iuntil the lower edge of the blade contacts'Y-with ACl a stop 195 secured on bracket 178 by a set screw 196, this set screw also serving to secure the bracket to the insulator 126. The upper end of the stop 195 is so disposed as to properly align the blade with the aws 185. After the blade 152 contacts with the stop 195, continued movement of the links 14:6 serves to move the blade toward the housing with a substantially rectilinear movement, the blade being advanced by a plunging action so as to cause the strips or plates thereof to engage between the contact jaws. This movement of the blade is permitted by the tension springs 172 and the pivotal mounting of the blade on the pin 150. It will thus be seen that in this form of switch, as in the forms previously described, the blade is moved into and out of closed position by a combined swinging and plunging action. While we have not illustrated the use of arcing horns in connection with all of the various forms of the switch illustrated, it will be understood that these horns can be employed wherever it is deemed desirable or necessary to do so.

The portion of the disc 133 that extends from the center thereof to the pin 165 constitutes in effect a crank for imparting motion to the connecting rod 162. This crank and the connecting rod 162 are in their dead center position when the switch is closed, as may be seen in Figure 5. This acts to lock the blade in its closed position against being blown open by the tremendous magnetic forces that are induced during a short circuit. It is well known in the art that when the circuit extending through a disconnect switch becomes short circuited the resulting heavy current flow will produce a powerful force tending to blow the switch open. Disconnect switches are not intended to be used for interrupting a circuit while current is flowing therethrough, much less one wherein there is a very large current flow such as occurs under short circuit conditions. Should the disconnect switch be blown open it will almost certainly destroy itself. To prevent the opening of thev switch under such conditions various locking means have been devised. In our switch the hood 176 prevents direct upward movement of the blade, while rearward movement of the blade is prevented by the link 146 that is locked against movement under the action of the blade by the connecting rod 162 and the crank, above referred to, that are in their dead center position.

It will be noted that, in the form of the switch illustrated, the plate or member upon which the switch blade is mounted is of channel cross-section. This member possesses very appreciable mechanical strength and serves to eectually brace the two adjacent insulating structures so as to maintain them in spaced relation, and distribute between the insulating structures strains incident to operation of the switch.

As above indicated, and as will be understood, changes in the arrangement and construction of parts of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of the same, and we intend vto in clude all such variations, as fall within the 1scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred forms only of our invention are disclosed.

W hat we claim is i Y 1. Tn a switch of the character described, a supporting plate, an insulated support for the same, blade supporting means pivotally mounted on the plate, a blade pivoted onr said supporting means, means yieldingly urgingthe blade in the closing direction, stop means carried by said supporting means and 4limiting movement of the blade'by said yielding means, operating means connected to said supporting means, contact jaws cooperating with said blade, and means stopping the movement of the blade in the closing direction at a point to align the blade with the jaws, said blade being thereafter moved into contact with the jaws by rectilinear movement.

2. ln a switch of the character described, rockably mounted blade supporting means, an insulated. support therefor, a blade pivoted on said supporting means, the supporting means having a stop element extending beneath the blade and limiting relative movement thereof, operating means connected to said blade supporting means, yielding means urging the blade toward said stop, contact jaws cooperating with the blade, and means stopping the swinging movement of the blade in the closing direction at a point to align the blade with said jaws, said blade being thereafter moved into c ontact with the jaws by rectilinear movement.

3. Tn a switch of the character described, a supporting plate, insulating means supporting the same, blade supporting means rockably mounted on the plate, a blade pivoted on said supporting means, the supporting means having a stop element extending beneath the blade and spaced therefrom when the switch is closed, tension springs connecting the plate and the blade beyond the pivot thereof, and operating means connected to the blade supporting means.

4. Tn an electric switch, a rotary insulator, a pivoted link, a rod connecting the insulator and the link, a switch blade pivoted on the link about an axis spaced from the pivotal axis of the link, whereby upon the initial rotation of the link the blade is moved longitudinally, abutment means for thereafter positively swinging the switch blade upon the continued rotation of the link, and means for maintaining the blade in engagement with the abutment means throughout the swinging of the switch blade, said rod being adjustable for varying the extent of the longitudinal movement of the blade.

5. A switch comprising a base support, a pair of insulators mounted on the support, one of the insulators being movable, a supporting plate mounted on the movable insulator, blade supporting means rockably mounted on the plate, a blade pivoted on said supporting mea-ns, the supporting means having a stop element extending beneath the blade, a tension spring connecting the plate and the blade beyond the pivot thereof, operating means for operating the insulator to operate the blade supporting means, contact jaws mounted on the other insulator and cooperating with the blade, and means for stopping the swinging movement of the blade in the closing direction at a point to align the blade with the contact, said blade being thereafter moved into said contact jaws by rectilinear movement.

6. A switch comp-rising a base support, a pair of insulators mounted on the support, one of the insulators being movable, a supporting plate mounted on the movable insuvlator, blade supporting means rockably mounted on the plate, a blade pivoted on said supporting means, the supporting means having a stop element extending beneath the blade, a tension spring connecting the plate and the blade beyond the pivot thereof, means for operating the movable insulator to actuate the blade, and a switch contact mounted on the Vother insulator and cooperating with said blade.

7. An electric switch including a stationary insulator, a rotary insulator, bracing means between the two, a relatively short link carried adjacent to the stationary insulator, means pivoted to the link and to the rotary insulator whereby a rotation of the rotary insulator produces a rotation of the link, abutment means rotated with the link, a relatively long switch blade pivotally mounted on the link and engaged by the abutment means after a predetermined rotation of the link to have successive rotary and rectilinear movement upon the rotation of the link to the switch opening position, and means for constantly urging the switch blade towards the abutment means during the switch opening movement.

8. A switch comprising a pair of insulators at least one of which is rotatable, a bracing connection between the two, a relatively short pivoted blade supporting link, a relatively long switch blade pivoted at one end thereon, a rod connecting the rotatable insulator and the link whereby the insulator actuates the link, a Contact engageable by the opposite end of the blade, said link and said blade being at an appreciable angle out of alignment with one another when the switch is closed whereby upon the initial switch opening movement of the link the blade is moved as a unit substantially longitudinally of itself, an abutment effective after a predetermined movement of the link for causing the blade to thereafter swing as a unit with the link upon continued movement of the link, and means for maintaining the blade and the link in engagement at said abutment during said continued movement of the link.

9. A switch comprising a pair of insulators at least one of which is rotatable, a bracing connection between the two, a relatively short pivoted blade supporting link, a relatively long switch blade pivoted at one end thereon, a rod connecting the rotatable insulator and the link whereby the insulator actuates the link, a contact engageable by the opposite end of the blade, said link and said blade being at an appreciable angle out of alignment with one another when the switch is closed a whereby upon the initial switch opening movement of the link the blade is moved as a unit substantially longitudinally of itself, an abutment keffective after a predetermined movement of the link for causing the blade to thereafter swing as a unit with the link upon continued movement of the link, means for maintaining the blade and the link in engagement at said abutment during said continued movement of the link, said switch blade having a closing motion the reverse of itsopening motion, and means for limiting the swinging movement of the blade with the link as a unit during the switch closing operation, said blade moving substantially lon- Y In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribev our names this 7th day of July, 1928.

v ALFRED ALSAKER.

ERIC NORDHEM. 

